November 2nd, 2008

2 ways to create your own Application Launcher

Application launcher apps has been around for while and is apparently the most sought after tools for Mac users. There is a huge bunch of useful ones you can find eg. QuickSilver, OverFlow, Sapiens, Valet, LaunchBar to name a few.

Before you get yourself an application launcher app, let’s evaluate the number one reason why we need one when you can just launch your apps from the dock - Reduce dock clutter!

Now, how do we go about solving this problem, by taking things into your own hands?

Here’s 2 ways:

1) Creating aliases

- Create a folder named “Fav Tools” for example and place them anywhere you wish
- Create aliases of all your favorite apps and drag them inside this folder
- Drag your “Fav Tools” folder into the dock and voila!

 

You’ve just built your own application launcher! All your apps organized neatly into the “Fav Tools” folder on your dock, reducing dock clutter. You can even go further by setting the folder to launch in stacks, grid or list.


2) Spotlight

Either click the magnifying glass at the top right hand corner of your screen, or Command + Space on your keyboard to call Spotlight, type the name of the application that you want to launch and you’ve got it.


By default Spotlight will search your applications first, so this will ensure fasting application launching. You can even sort the order of search under System Preferences -> Spotlight, or change the keyboard shortcut to call up Spotlight.


Enjoy!



Mac Apps . Tips n Tricks